Display apparatus, and apparatus for and method of manufacturing the same

ABSTRACT

A display apparatus includes: a substrate comprising a first display area including a first pixel area, a second pixel area, and a first transmission area, a second display area adjacent to the first display area, the second display area including a third pixel area, a fourth pixel area, a second transmission area, and a third transmission area, and a third display area adjacent to the second display area.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to and the benefit of KoreanPatent Application No. 10-2019-0085820, filed on Jul. 16, 2019, in theKorean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which isincorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

1. FIELD

Aspects of some example embodiments of the present disclosure relate toa display apparatus and a method of manufacturing the same.

2. DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

Display apparatuses may be used for various purposes. Also, because thethickness and weight of display apparatuses has reduced as technologyhas progressed, the utilization range of display apparatuses hasincreased.

Depending on the use of a display apparatus, different methods may beutilized for designing the shape thereof and different functions may beembedded in or linked to the display apparatus.

The above information disclosed in this Background section is only forenhancement of understanding of the background and therefore theinformation discussed in this Background section does not necessarilyconstitute prior art.

SUMMARY

One or more example embodiments includes a display apparatus including asensor area in which a sensor, or other suitable components, may bearranged in a display area. Some example embodiments may further includean apparatus for manufacturing a display apparatus, and a method ofmanufacturing a display apparatus. However, the above technical featuresare merely examples and the scope of the disclosure is not limitedthereto.

Additional aspects will be set forth in part in the description whichfollows and, in part, will be more apparent from the description, or maybe learned by practice of the presented example embodiments of thedisclosure.

According to some example embodiments, a display apparatus includes asubstrate including a first display area including a first pixel area, asecond pixel area, and a first transmission area, a second display areaarranged adjacent to the first display area, the second display areaincluding a third pixel area, a fourth pixel area, a second transmissionarea, and a third transmission area, and a third display area arrangedadjacent to the second display area, first pixels arranged on the firstpixel area, each of the first pixels including a first pixel electrode,a first opposite electrode, and a first intermediate layer between thefirst pixel electrode and the first opposite electrode, second pixelsarranged on the second pixel area, each of the second pixels including asecond pixel electrode, a second opposite electrode, and a secondintermediate layer between the second pixel electrode and the secondopposite electrode, third pixels arranged on the third pixel area, eachof the third pixels including a third pixel electrode, a third oppositeelectrode, and a third intermediate layer between the third pixelelectrode and the third opposite electrode, and fourth pixels arrangedon the fourth pixel area, each of the fourth pixels including a fourthpixel electrode, a fourth opposite electrode, and a fourth intermediatelayer between the fourth pixel electrode and the fourth oppositeelectrode, wherein the third opposite electrode is connected to thefirst opposite electrode or the second opposite electrode, the thirdopposite electrode and the fourth opposite electrode are connected toeach other, and the third opposite electrode and the fourth oppositeelectrode have different planar areas from each other.

According to some example embodiments, the first pixel area, the secondpixel area, and the first transmission area may be alternately arrangedas a grating.

According to some example embodiments, the first transmission area maybe defined as the first pixel area and the second pixel area connectedto each other.

According to some example embodiments, the first opposite electrode andthe second opposite electrode may be partially in surface contact witheach other.

According to some example embodiments, the second opposite electrode maybe arranged on the first opposite electrode in a surface contact area.

According to some example embodiments, the first transmission area andthe third transmission area may have different shapes from each other.

According to some example embodiments, a light transmittance of thefirst display area may be different from a light transmittance of atleast one of the second display area or the third display area.

According to some example embodiments, the first display area mayprovide an image having a resolution lower than a resolution of an imageprovided by at least one of the second display area or the third displayarea.

According to some example embodiments, main pixels may be arranged onthe third display area, each of the main pixels may include a main pixelelectrode, a main opposite electrode, and a main intermediate layerbetween the main pixel electrode and the main opposite electrode, andthe main opposite electrode may be arranged on entire surface of thethird display area.

According to some example embodiments, the main opposite electrode maybe connected to the fourth opposite electrode on the second displayarea.

According to some example embodiments, a plurality of main oppositeelectrodes having stripe shapes may be provided, and the plurality ofmain opposite electrodes may be spaced apart from one another.

According to some example embodiments, a display apparatus includes asubstrate including a first display area including a first pixel area, asecond pixel area, and a first transmission area, a second display areaarranged adjacent to the first display area, the second display areaincluding a third pixel area, a fourth pixel area, a second transmissionarea, and a third transmission area, and a third display area arrangedadjacent to the second display area, first pixels arranged on the firstpixel area, each of the first pixels including a first pixel electrode,a first opposite electrode, and a first intermediate layer between thefirst pixel electrode and the first opposite electrode, second pixelsarranged on the second pixel area, each of the second pixels including asecond pixel electrode, a second opposite electrode, and a secondintermediate layer between the second pixel electrode and the secondopposite electrode, third pixels arranged on the third pixel area, eachof the third pixels including a third pixel electrode, a third oppositeelectrode, and a third intermediate layer between the third pixelelectrode and the third opposite electrode, fourth pixels arranged onthe fourth pixel area, each of the fourth pixels including a fourthpixel electrode, a fourth opposite electrode, and a fourth intermediatelayer between the fourth pixel electrode and the fourth oppositeelectrode, and a component arranged on a surface of the substrate so asto correspond to the first display area, the component including anelectronic element emitting or receiving light, wherein the thirdopposite electrode is connected to the first opposite electrode or thesecond opposite electrode, the third opposite electrode and the fourthopposite electrode are connected to each other, and the third oppositeelectrode and the fourth opposite electrode have different planar areasfrom each other.

According to some example embodiments, the component may emit or receivelight through the first transmission area, and a light transmittance ofthe second display area and a light transmittance of the third displayarea may be less than a light transmittance of the first display area.

According to some example embodiments, an apparatus for manufacturing adisplay apparatus, the apparatus includes, a chamber, a part of which isselectively open/closed, a first support arranged in the chamber, thefirst support supporting a substrate, a mask assembly arranged in thechamber, the mask assembly facing the substrate, a second supportarranged in the chamber, the second support supporting the maskassembly, and a deposition source arranged in the chamber, thedeposition source supplying a deposition material onto the substrate,wherein the mask assembly includes a first mask assembly and a secondmask assembly that are replaceable with each other, the second maskassembly includes a mask frame, and a mask sheet mounted on the maskframe, and the mask sheet includes a first opening, a second openingarranged in a different portion from the first opening in the masksheet, and a third opening arranged in a different portion from thefirst and second openings in the mask sheet, wherein the second openingis connected to the third opening, the first opening is separated fromthe second opening and the third opening, the first opening and thesecond opening have different shapes from each other, and an area of thefirst opening is less than an area of the second opening.

According to some example embodiments, the deposition source may be in acorner of the chamber.

According to some example embodiments, the first opening may have asquare shape and the second opening may have a rectangular shape.

According to some example embodiments, at least one of the first supportor the second support may adjust a position of the substrate relative tothe first mask assembly.

According to some example embodiments, a plurality of third openings maybe provided to be spaced from one another, and each of the plurality ofthird openings may be provided as a line shape.

According to some example embodiments, a method of manufacturing adisplay apparatus, the method includes arranging a substrate and a firstmask assembly in a chamber, forming first opposite electrodesrespectively on a first display area and a second display area of thesubstrate by using a deposition material that has been supplied from adeposition source and has passed through the first mask assembly,changing a position of at least one of the substrate or the first maskassembly, forming second opposite electrodes respectively on the firstdisplay area and the second display area by using the depositionmaterial that has been supplied from the deposition source and haspassed through the first mask assembly, the first opposite electrode andthe second opposite electrode at least partially overlapping each other,and forming a third opposite electrode and a fourth opposite electrodeon the second display area after replacing the first mask assembly witha second mask assembly and supplying a deposition material onto thesubstrate from the deposition source, and forming a main oppositeelectrode on a third display area of the substrate, wherein the thirdopposite electrode connects one of the first opposite electrode and thesecond opposite electrode to the fourth opposite electrode, and thethird opposite electrode and the fourth opposite electrode havedifferent planar areas from each other.

According to some example embodiments, a first transmission area may beprovided between the first opposite electrode and the second oppositeelectrode.

According to some example embodiments, the first opposite electrode andthe second opposite electrode may be partially in surface contact witheach other.

According to some example embodiments, a second transmission area may beprovided between one of the first opposite electrode and the secondopposite electrode, the third opposite electrode and the fourth oppositeelectrode, and a third transmission area may be provided between one ofthe first opposite electrode and the second opposite electrode, thethird opposite electrode, the fourth opposite electrode, and a mainopposite electrode.

According to some example embodiments, the second transmission area andthe third transmission area may have different shapes from each other.

According to some example embodiments, the first display area mayprovide an image having a resolution lower than a resolution of an imageprovided by at least one of the second display area or the third displayarea.

According to some example embodiments, a light transmittance of thefirst display area may be different from a light transmittance of atleast one of the second display area or the third display area.

According to some example embodiments, the light transmittance of thesecond display area may be greater than the light transmittance of thefirst display area and less than the light transmittance of the thirddisplay area.

Other aspects, features and characteristics of the disclosure willbecome better understood through the accompanying drawings, the claimsand the detailed description.

Such general and specific aspects of some example embodiments of thepresent disclosure may be performed using systems, methods,computer-readable storage mediums, and/or combinations thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features, and characteristics of certainexample embodiments of the disclosure will be more apparent from thefollowing description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a display apparatus according to someexample embodiments;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a display apparatus according tosome example embodiments;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a display panel according to some exampleembodiments;

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing an enlarged view of a first display areaof FIG. 3;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are equivalent circuit diagrams of a pixel in a displaypanel according to some example embodiments;

FIG. 7 is a diagram of a pixel circuit in a pixel according to someexample embodiments;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line I-I′ and the lineII-II′ of FIG. 7;

FIGS. 9 and 10 are plan views showing a part of a first display areaaccording to some example embodiments;

FIGS. 11 and 12 are cross-sectional views illustrating some processes ofmanufacturing of a display panel according to some example embodiments;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B′ of FIG. 9;

FIG. 14 is a plan view of an arrangement of opposite electrodes in adisplay panel according to some example embodiments;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line C-C′ of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line D-D′ of FIG. 14;

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of an apparatus for manufacturing adisplay apparatus, according to some example embodiments;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a first mask assembly of FIG. 17,according to some example embodiments;

FIG. 19 is a plan view showing a portion of a first mask sheet of FIG.17, according to some example embodiments;

FIG. 20 is a plan view showing a portion of a second mask sheet of FIG.17, according to some example embodiments;

FIG. 21 is a plan view of an arrangement of opposite electrodes in adisplay panel according to some example embodiments;

FIG. 22 is a plan view showing a portion of a second mask sheet of FIG.17, according to some example embodiments;

FIG. 23 is a plan view of arrangement of opposite electrodes in adisplay panel according to some example embodiments; and

FIG. 24 is a plan view showing a portion of a second mask sheet of FIG.17, according to some example embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As the present disclosure allows for various changes and numerousembodiments, aspects of some example embodiments will be illustrated inthe drawings and described in more detail in the written description.The attached drawings for illustrating one or more example embodimentsare referred to in order to gain a sufficient understanding, the meritsthereof, and some characteristics of some example embodiments. However,the example embodiments may have different forms and should not beconstrued as being limited to the descriptions set forth herein.

The example embodiments will be described below in more detail withreference to the accompanying drawings. Those components that are thesame or are in correspondence are rendered the same reference numeralregardless of the figure number, and redundant explanations are omitted.

While such terms as “first,” “second,” etc., may be used to describevarious components, such components are not be limited to the aboveterms. The above terms are used only to distinguish one component fromanother.

An expression used in the singular encompasses the expression of theplural, unless it has a clearly different meaning in the context.

In the present specification, it is to be understood that the terms“including,” “having,” and “comprising” are intended to indicate theexistence of the features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts,or combinations thereof disclosed in the specification, and are notintended to preclude the possibility that one or more other features,numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof mayexist or may be added.

It will be understood that when a layer, region, or component isreferred to as being “formed on” another layer, region, or component, itmay be directly or indirectly formed on the other layer, region, orcomponent. That is, for example, intervening layers, regions, orcomponents may be present.

Sizes of components in the drawings may be exaggerated for convenienceof explanation. In other words, because sizes and thicknesses ofcomponents in the drawings are arbitrarily illustrated for convenienceof explanation, the following embodiments are not limited thereto.

The x-axis, the y-axis and the z-axis are not limited to three axes ofthe rectangular coordinate system, and may be interpreted in a broadersense. For example, the x-axis, the y-axis, and the z-axis may beperpendicular to one another, or may represent different directions thatare not perpendicular to one another.

When a certain embodiment may be implemented differently, a specificprocess order may be performed differently from the described order. Forexample, two consecutively described processes may be performedsubstantially at the same time or performed in an order opposite to thedescribed order.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a display apparatus 1 according to someexample embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 1, the display apparatus 1 includes a display area DAthat realizes (or displays) images and a non-display area NDA that doesnot realize (or does not display) images. The display area DA includes afirst display area DA1, a second display area DA2, and a third displayarea DA3. The display apparatus 1 may provide a main image based onlight emitted from a plurality of main pixels PXm arranged in the thirddisplay area DA3.

At least one of the first display area DA1 or the second display areaDA2 may be an area under which a component such as a sensor usinginfrared rays, visible rays, or sound is arranged, as will be describedin more detail below with reference to FIG. 2. Hereinafter, a case inwhich the component is arranged in the first display area DA1 will bedescribed for convenience of description, but embodiments are notlimited thereto.

Thus, according to some example embodiments, the display apparatus 1 mayinclude a display area DA having a plurality of sub-display areas (e.g.,DA1, DA2, and DA3, althought embodiments are not limited to threesub-display areas, and various embodiments may include any suitablenumber of sub-display areas according to the design of the displayapparatus 1). One or more of the sub-display areas may be an area atwhich a plurality of main pixels PXm are arranged, for displayingimages. Additionally, one or more of the sub-display areas may be anarea at which images may be displayed by pixels, but also where one ormore components (such as sensors or emitters) may be positioned in orderto receive or sense input signals (e.g., light, sound, etc.) and/or toemit or transmit output signals (e.g., light, sound, etc.).

The first display area DA1 may include a first transmission area TA1,through which light and/or sound may be output or emitted from thecomponent to the outside, or through which light and/or sound proceedingfrom an external source may be transmitted to the component maytransmit. According to some example embodiments, when the lighttransmits through the first display area DA1, a light transmittance maybe about 10% or greater, for example, 20% or greater, 25% or greater,50% or greater, 85% or greater, or 90% or greater.

The light transmittance of the first display area DA1 may be differentfrom at least one of a light transmittance of the second display areaDA2 or a light transmittance of the third display area DA3. For example,the light transmittance of the first display area DA1 may be greaterthan that of the second display area DA2 or that of the third displayarea DA3. According to some example embodiments, the light transmittanceof the first display area DA1 may be greater than that of the seconddisplay area DA2 and that of the third display area DA3. In this case,the light transmittance of the second display area DA2 may be greaterthan that of the third display area DA3. For example, the lighttransmittance of the second display area DA2 may be equal to anarithmetic mean of the sum of the light transmittance of the firstdisplay area DA1 and the light transmittance of the third display areaDA3.

According to some example embodiments, a plurality of auxiliary pixelsPXa may be arranged in the first display area DA1, and an image (e.g., aset or predetermined image) may be provided by using light emitted fromthe plurality of auxiliary pixels PXa. The image provided from the firstdisplay area DA1 is an auxiliary image having a lower resolution thanthat of an image provided from at least one of the second display areaDA2 or the third display area DA3. That is, because the first displayarea DA1 includes the first transmission area TA1 through which thelight and/or sound may transmit, the number of auxiliary pixels PXaarranged per unit area may be less than the number of connecting pixelsPXc arranged per unit area in the second display area DA2 or the numberof main pixels PXm per unit area in the third display area DA3.According to some example embodiments, the number of auxiliary pixelsPXa arranged per unit area in the first display area DA1 may be lessthan that of the connecting pixels PXc arranged per unit area in thesecond display area DA2 and that of the main pixels PXm arranged perunit area in the third display area DA3. In this case, the number ofconnecting pixels PXc arranged per unit area in the second display areaDA2 may be less than that of the main pixels PXm arranged per unit areain the third display area DA3.

Hereinafter, according to some example embodiments, although the displayapparatus 1 is described as being an organic light-emitting displayapparatus, the disclosure is not limited thereto. According to someexample embodiments, the display apparatus 1 may be an inorganiclight-emitting display, a quantum dot light-emitting display, etc.

Referring to FIG. 1, the first display area DA1 is at a side of thesecond display area DA2 of a rectangular shape, but is not limitedthereto. The first display area DA1 may have a circular shape, anellipse shape, or a polygonal shape such as a triangle, a pentagon,etc., and a location and the number of the first display area DA1 may bevariously modified.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the display apparatus 1 according tosome example embodiments. FIG. 2 may correspond to a cross-section takenalong the line A-A′ of FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 2, the display apparatus 1 may include a display panel10 and a component 20, wherein the display panel 10 includes a displayelement and the component 20 is under the display panel 10 to correspondto the first display area DA1.

The display panel 10 may include a substrate 100, a display elementlayer 200 on the substrate 100, and a thin film encapsulation layer 300that is an encapsulation member for sealing the display element layer200. In addition, the display panel 10 may further include a lowerprotective film 175 arranged under the substrate 100.

The substrate 100 may include glass or a polymer resin. The polymerresin may include polyethersulfone, polyacrylate, polyetherimide,polyethylene n naphthalate, polyethylene terephthalate, polyphenylenesulfide, polyarylate, polyimide, polycarbonate, cellulose acetatepropionate, etc. The substrate 100 including the polymer resin may beflexible, rollable, or bendable. The substrate 100 may have amulti-layered structure including a layer including the polymer resinand an inorganic layer.

The display element layer 200 may include a circuit layer including athin film transistor TFT, an organic light-emitting diode OLED that is adisplay element, and an insulating layer IL between the thin filmtransistor TFT and the organic light-emitting diode OLED.

In the third display area DA3, the main pixels PXm each including thethin film transistor TFT and the organic light-emitting diode OLEDconnected to the thin film transistor TFT are arranged. In the seconddisplay area DA2, the connecting pixels PXc each including the thin filmtransistor TFT and the organic light-emitting diode OLED connected tothe thin film transistor TFT are arranged. In the first display areaDA1, the auxiliary pixels PXa each including the thin film transistorTFT and the organic light-emitting diode OLED connected to the thin filmtransistor TFT are arranged, and lines electrically connected to themain pixels PXm, the connecting pixels PXc, and the auxiliary pixels PXamay be arranged.

In addition, the first transmission area TA1, in which the thin filmtransistor TFT and pixels are not arranged, may be in the first displayarea DA1. The first transmission area TA1 may be understood as an area,through which light/signals emitted from the component 20 orlight/signals incident to the component 20 transmit. Similarly to thefirst display area DA1, a second transmission area TA2 and a thirdtransmission area TA3 may be in the second display area DA2.

The component 20 may be in the first display area DA1 and the seconddisplay area DA2. For example, the component 20 may be in the firstdisplay area DA1. The component 20 may be an electronic element usinglight or sound. For example, the component 20 may include a sensorreceiving light, e.g., an infrared ray sensor, a sensor outputting andsensing light or sound to measure a distance or to sense fingerprints,etc., a small-sized lamp that emits light, or a speaker outputtingsound. The electronic element using the light may use light of variouswavelength bands such as visible light, IR, ultraviolet (UV) ray, etc. Aplurality of components 20 may be in the first display area DA1. Forexample, a light-emitting device and a light-receiving device may beprovided in one first display area DA1 as the components 20.Alternatively, one component 20 may include a light-emitting portion anda light-receiving portion.

The thin film encapsulation layer 300 may include at least one inorganicencapsulation layer and at least one organic encapsulation layer. Inthis regard, referring to FIG. 2, the thin film encapsulation layer 300may include first and second inorganic encapsulation layers 310 and 330and an organic encapsulation layer 320 between the first and secondinorganic encapsulation layers 310 and 330.

The first and second inorganic encapsulation layers 310 and 330 mayinclude one or more inorganic insulating materials from aluminum oxide,titanium oxide, tantalum oxide, hafnium oxide, zinc oxide, siliconoxide, silicon nitride, and silicon oxynitride. The organicencapsulation layer 320 may include a polymer-based material. Thepolymer-based material may include polyethylene terephthalate,polyethylene naphthalate, polycarbonate, polyimide, polyethylenesulfonate, polyoxymethylene, polyarylate, hexamethyl disiloxane, anacryl-based resin (e.g., polymethyl methacrylate, polyacrylic acid,etc.), or a combination thereof.

The lower protective film 175 is attached to a lower portion of thesubstrate 100 to protect and support the substrate 100. The lowerprotective film 175 may include an opening 1750P corresponding to thefirst display area DA1. Because the lower protective film 175 includesthe opening 1750P, a light transmittance of the first display area DA1may be improved. The lower protective film 175 may include polyethyleneterephthalate (PET) or polyimide (PI).

An area of the first display area DA1 may be greater than that of aregion where the component 20 is arranged. In FIG. 2, it is shown thatthe first display area DA1 has an area that is equal to that of theopening 1750P, but the area of the opening 1750P in the lower protectivefilm 175 may not be equal to that of the first display area DA1. Forexample, the area of the opening 1750P may be less than that of thefirst display area DA1.

According to some example embodiments, components such as an inputsensing member for sensing a touch input, an anti-reflection memberincluding a polarizer and a retarder, or a color filter and a blackmatrix, a transparent window, etc. may be further arranged on thedisplay panel 10.

In addition, according to some example embodiments, the thin filmencapsulation layer 300 is used as an encapsulation member for sealingthe display element layer 200, but one or more embodiments are notlimited thereto. For example, an encapsulation substrate that is bondedto the substrate 100 via a sealant or a frit may be used as the memberfor encapsulating the display element layer 200.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the display panel 10 according to some exampleembodiments. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing an enlarged view of the firstdisplay area DA1 of FIG. 3.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, various elements of the display panel 10 areon the substrate 100. The substrate 100 includes a display area and anon-display area NDA surrounding the display area. The display areaincludes the second display area DA2 and third display area DA3 on whicha main image is displayed and the first display area DA1 including thefirst transmission area TA1 and displaying an auxiliary image.

The plurality of main pixels PXm are on the third display area DA3. Andthe plurality of connecting pixels PXc are on the second display areaDA2. Each of the main pixels PXm and each of the connecting pixels PXcmay include a display element such as an organic light-emitting diodeOLED. Each of the main pixels PXm and each of the connecting pixels PXcmay emit light (e.g., red light, green light, blue light, or whitelight) via the organic light-emitting diode OLED. In the specification,the main pixel PXm and each of the connecting pixels PXc may beunderstood as a pixel emitting red light, green light, blue light, orwhite light, as described above. The second display area DA2 and thethird display area DA3 are covered by the encapsulation member describedabove with reference to FIG. 2, so as to be protected against externalair or moisture.

The first display area DA1 may be at a side of the second display areaDA2, and the plurality of auxiliary pixels PXa are in the first displayarea DA1. Each of the auxiliary pixels PXa may include a display elementsuch as an organic light-emitting diode OLED. Each of the auxiliarypixels PXa may emit light, e.g., red light, green light, blue light, orwhite light, via the organic light-emitting diode OLED. In thespecification, the auxiliary pixel PXa may be understood as a pixelemitting red light, green light, blue light, or white light, asdescribed above. In addition, the first display area DA1 may include thefirst transmission area TA1 among the auxiliary pixels PXa.

Because the first display area DA1 includes the first transmission areaTA1, a resolution of the first display area DA1 may be less than that ofat least one of the second display area DA2 or the third diplay areaDA3. For example, the resolution of the first display area DA1 may behalf the resolution of at least one of the second display area DA2 orthe third display area DA3. In some embodiments, the resolution of atleast one of the second display area DA2 or the third display area DA3may be 400 ppi or greater, and the resolution of the first display areaDA1 may be about 200 ppi or greater.

The first display area DA1 will be described in more detail below withreference to FIG. 4.

The first display area DA1 may include an auxiliary pixel area PA1including at least one auxiliary pixel PXa and the first transmissionarea TA1. The auxiliary pixel area PA1 and the first transmission areaTA1 are alternately arranged in a first direction DR1 and a seconddirection DR2, for example, as a grating.

The auxiliary pixel area PA1 may include an auxiliary pixel Pr emittingred light, an auxiliary pixel Pg emitting green light, and an auxiliarypixel Pb emitting blue light. FIG. 4 shows a pentile-type auxiliarypixel PXa, but the auxiliary pixel PXa may have various shapes, e.g., astripe shape, etc. Also, in FIG. 4, eight auxiliary pixels PXa are inthe auxiliary pixel area PA1, but the number of auxiliary pixel PXa mayvary depending on the resolution of the first display area DA1.

According to some example embodiments, one main pixel PXm, oneconnecting pixel PXc, and one auxiliary pixel PXa may include the samepixel circuits from one another. However, one or more embodiments arenot limited thereto. The pixel circuit in the main pixel PXm, the pixelcircuit in the connecting pixel PXc, and the pixel circuit in theauxiliary pixel PXa may be different from one another.

The first transmission area TA1 may not include the auxiliary pixel PXa.Not including the auxiliary pixel PXa may denote that the auxiliarypixel PXa does not include a display element such as an organiclight-emitting diode OLED. That is, it may be understood that the firsttransmission area TA1 does not include a pixel electrode, anintermediate layer, and an opposite electrode of the organiclight-emitting diode OLED, and a pixel circuit electrically connected tothe organic light-emitting diode OLED. Some of signal lines PL, DL, SL,and EL connected to supply signals to the auxiliary pixels PXa in theauxiliary pixel area PA1 may pass through the first transmission areaTA1. However, even in this case, the signal lines PL, DL, SL, and EL mayarch around a center of the first transmission area TA1 in order toincrease the light transmittance of the first transmission area TA1.

According to some example embodiments, a conductive layer may be on thesubstrate 100, corresponding to the auxiliary pixel area PA1 of thefirst display area DA1. The conductive layer may be under the auxiliarypixels PXa, for example, may be between a thin film transistor of theauxiliary pixel PXa and the substrate 100. The conductive layer mayprevent or reduce instances of external light emitted from the component20 being incident to the pixel circuit (PC, see, e.g., FIG. 5) of theauxiliary pixel PXa and from affecting the auxiliary pixel PXa. Aconstant voltage or a signal is applied to the conductive layer toprevent damage to the pixel circuit PC due to an electrostaticdischarge. There may be a plurality of conductive layers in the firstdisplay area DA1, and if necessary, the conductive layers may receivedifferent voltages from one another.

A second transmission area TA2 and a third transmission area TA3 may besimilar to the first transmission area TA1. That is, the second andthird transmission areas TA2 and TA3 may not include the connectingpixels PXc. Here, not including the connecting pixel PXc is similar tothe above description about not including the auxiliary pixel PXa, andthus, detailed descriptions thereof are omitted here.

Referring back to FIG. 3, each of the main, connecting, and auxiliarypixels PXm, PXc, and PXa may be electrically connected to peripheralcircuits in the non-display area NDA. In the non-display area NDA, afirst scan driving circuit 110, a second scan driving circuit 120, aterminal 140, a data driving circuit 150, a first power supply line 160,and a second power supply line 170 may be arranged.

The first scan driving circuit 110 may provide each of the main,connecting, and auxiliary pixels PXm, PXc, or PXa with a scan signal viaa scan line SL. The first scan driving circuit 110 may provide each ofthe main, connecting, and auxiliary pixels PXm, PXc, or PXa with anemission control signal via an emission control line EL. The second scandriving circuit 120 may be arranged in parallel with the first scandriving circuit 110, as the display area DA is arranged therebetween.Some of the main, connecting, and auxiliary pixels PXm, PXc, and PXaarranged in the display area DA may be electrically connected to thefirst scan driving circuit 110, and the other pixels may be connected tothe second scan driving circuit 120. According to some exampleembodiments, the second scan driving circuit 120 may be omitted.

The terminal 140 may be arranged at a side of the substrate 100. Theterminal 140 may not be covered by an insulating layer but is exposed,and may be electrically connected to a printed circuit board PCB. Aterminal PCB-P of the printed circuit board PCB may be electricallyconnected to the terminal 140 of the display panel 10. The printedcircuit board PCB may transfer a signal or a power from a controller tothe display panel 10. A control signal generated by the controller maybe respectively transferred to the first and second scan drivingcircuits 110 and 120 via the printed circuit board PCB. The controllermay provide the first and second power supply lines 160 and 170respectively with a first power and a second power voltages ELVDD andELVSS (see FIGS. 5 and 6) via first and second connecting lines 161 and171. The first power voltage ELVDD is supplied to each of the main,connecting and auxiliary pixels PXm PXc or PXa via a driving voltageline PL connected to the first power supply line 160, and the secondpower voltage ELVSS may be provided to an opposite electrode of eachpixel PXm or PXa connected to the second power supply line 170.

The data driving circuit 150 is electrically connected to a data lineDL. A data signal of the data driving circuit 150 may be provided toeach of the the main, connecting and auxiliary pixels PXm PXc or PXa viaa connecting line 151 connected to the terminal 140 and the data line DLconnected to the connecting line 151. Although FIG. 3 shows that thedata driving circuit 150 is arranged on the printed circuit board PCB,the data driving circuit 150 may be arranged on the substrate 100,according to some example embodiments. For example, the data drivingcircuit 150 may be between the terminal 140 and the first power supplyline 160.

The first power supply line 160 may include a first sub-line 162 and asecond sub-line 163 that extend in parallel with each other in anX-direction with the display area DA interposed therebetween. The secondpower supply line 170 has a loop shape having an opening side topartially surround the display area DA.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are equivalent circuit diagrams of a pixel in the displaypanel according to some example embodiments.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, each of the main, connecting, and auxiliarypixels PXm, PXc, and PXa includes a pixel circuit PC connected to thescan line SL and the data line DL and an organic light-emitting diodeOLED connected to the pixel circuit PC.

The pixel circuit PC includes a driving thin film transistor (TFT) T1, aswitching TFT T2, and a storage capacitor Cst. The switching TFT T2 isconnected to the scan line SL and the data line DL and transfers a datasignal Dm input through the data line DL to the driving TFT T1 accordingto a scan signal Sn input through the scan line SL.

The storage capacitor Cst is connected to the switching TFT T2 and adriving voltage line PL and stores a voltage corresponding to adifference between a voltage transferred from the switching TFT T2 and afirst power voltage ELVDD (or a driving voltage) supplied to the drivingvoltage line PL.

The driving TFT T1 is connected to the driving voltage line PL and thestorage capacitor Cst and may control a driving current flowing from thedriving voltage line PL to the organic light-emitting diode OLED inresponse to the voltage value stored in the storage capacitor Cst. Theorganic light-emitting diode OLED may emit light having a luminance(e.g., a set or predetermined luminance) according to the drivingcurrent.

FIG. 5 shows an example in which the pixel circuit PC includes two TFTsand one storage capacitor, but one or more embodiments are not limitedthereto. As shown in FIG. 6, the pixel circuit PC may include seven TFTsand one storage capacitor. In FIG. 6, the pixel circuit PC includes onestorage capacitor, but the pixel circuit PC may include two or morestorage capacitors.

Referring to FIG. 6, each of the main, connecting, and auxiliary pixelsPXm, PXc, and PXa includes a pixel circuit PC and an organiclight-emitting diode OLED connected to the pixel circuit PC. The pixelcircuit PC may include a plurality of TFTs and a storage capacitor. TheTFTs and the storage capacitor may be connected to signal lines SL,SL-1, EL, and DL, an initialization voltage line VL, and a drivingvoltage line PL.

In FIG. 6, each of the main, connecting, and auxiliary pixels PXm, PXc,and PXa is connected to the signal lines SL, SL-1, EL, and DL, theinitialization voltage line VL, and the driving voltage line PL, but oneor more embodiments are not limited thereto. According to some exampleembodiments, at least one of the signal lines SL, SL-1, EL, and DL, theinitialization voltage line VL, or the driving voltage line PL may beshared by neighboring pixels.

The signal lines include the scan line SL transferring a scan signal Sn,a previous scan line SL-1 transferring a previous scan signal Sn-1 tothe first initialization TFT T4 and the second initialization TFT T7, anemission control line EL transferring an emission control signal En tothe operation control TFT T5 and the emission control TFT T6, and a dataline DL intersecting with the scan line SL and transferring a datasignal Dm. The driving voltage line PL transfers the driving voltageELVDD to the driving TFT T1, and the initialization voltage line VLtransfers an initialization voltage Vint for initializing the drivingTFT T1 and the pixel electrode.

A driving gate electrode GE1 of the driving TFT T1 is connected to alower electrode CE1 of the storage capacitor Cst, a driving sourceelectrode S1 of the driving TFT T1 is connected to the driving voltageline PL via the operation control TFT T5, and a driving drain electrodeD1 of the driving TFT T1 is electrically connected to a pixel electrodeof a organic light-emitting diode OLED via the emission control TFT T6.The driving TFT T1 receives the data signal Dm according to a switchingoperation of the switching TFT T2 to supply a driving current IDLED tothe main organic light-emitting diode OLED.

A switching gate electrode GE2 of the switching TFT T2 is connected tothe scan line SL, a switching source electrode S2 of the switching TFTT2 is connected to the data line DL, a switching drain electrode D2 ofthe switching TFT T2 is connected to the driving source electrode S1 ofthe driving TFT T1 and at the same time, is connected to the drivingvoltage line PL via the operation control TFT T5. The switching TFT T2is turned on according to the scan signal Sn received through the scanline SL and performs a switching operation that transfers the datasignal Dm transferred through the data line DL to the driving sourceelectrode S1 of the driving TFT T1.

A compensation gate electrode G3 of the compensation TFT T3 is connectedto the scan line SL, a compensation source electrode S3 of thecompensation TFT T3 is connected to the driving drain electrode D1 ofthe driving TFT T1 and at the same time is connected to the pixelelectrode of the organic light-emitting diode OLED via the emissioncontrol TFT T6, and a compensation drain electrode D3 of thecompensation TFT T3 is connected to the lower electrode CE1 of thestorage capacitor Cst, a first initialization drain electrode D4 of thefirst initialization TFT T4, and the driving gate electrode G1 of thedriving TFT T1. The compensation TFT T3 is turned on according to thescan signal Sn received through the scan line SL to electrically connectthe driving gate electrode G1 and the driving drain electrode D1 of thedriving TFT T1 to each other and to diode-connect the driving TFT T1.

A first initialization gate electrode G4 of the first initialization TFTT4 is connected to the previous scan line SL-1, a first initializationsource electrode S4 of the first initialization TFT T4 is connected to asecond initialization drain electrode D7 of the second initializationTFT T7 and the initialization voltage line VL, and the firstinitialization drain electrode D4 of the first initialization TFT T4 isconnected to the lower electrode CE1 of the storage capacitor Cst, thecompensation drain electrode D3 of the compensation TFT T3, and thedriving gate electrode GE1 of the driving TFT T1. The firstinitialization TFT T4 is turned on according to a previous scan signalSn-1 transferred through the previous scan line SL-1 to transfer theinitialization voltage Vint to the driving gate electrode G1 of thedriving TFT T1 and perform an initialization operation for initializinga voltage at the driving gate electrode G1 of the driving TFT T1.

An operation control gate electrode G5 of the operation control TFT T5is connected to the emission control line EL, an operation controlsource electrode S5 of the operation control TFT T5 is connected to thedriving voltage line PL, and an operation control drain electrode D5 ofthe operation control TFT T5 is connected to the driving sourceelectrode S1 of the driving TFT T1 and the switching drain electrode D2of the switching TFT T2.

An emission control gate electrode G6 of the emission control TFT T6 isconnected to the emission control line EL, an emission control sourceelectrode S6 of the emission control TFT T6 is connected to the drivingdrain electrode D1 of the driving TFT T1 and the compensation sourceelectrode S3 of the compensation TFT T3, and an emission control drainelectrode D6 of the emission control TFT T6 is electrically connected toa second initialization source electrode S7 of the second initializationTFT T7 and the pixel electrode of the organic light-emitting diode OLED.

The operation control TFT T5 and the emission control TFT T6 aresimultaneously turned on according to the emission control signal Entransferred through the emission control line EL to transfer the drivingvoltage ELVDD to the organic light-emitting diode OLED and to allow adriving current IDLED to flow in the organic light-emitting diode OLED.

The second initialization gate electrode G7 of the second initializationTFT T7 is connected to the previous scan line SL-1, a secondinitialization source electrode S7 of the second initialization TFT T7is connected to the emission control drain electrode D6 of the emissioncontrol TFT T6 and the pixel electrode of the organic light-emittingdiode OLED, and a second initialization drain electrode D7 of the secondinitialization TFT T7 is connected to the first initialization sourceelectrode S4 of the first initialization TFT T4 and the initializationvoltage line VL. The second initialization TFT T7 is turned on accordingto the previous scan signal Sn-1 transferred through the previous scanline SL-1 to initialize the pixel electrode of the organiclight-emitting diode OLED.

FIG. 6 shows a case in which the first initialization thin filmtransistor T4 and the second initialization thin film transistor T7 areconnected to the previous scan line SL-1, but one or more embodimentsare not limited thereto. According to some example embodiments, thefirst initialization TFT T4 may be connected to the previous scan lineSL-1 to operate according to the previous scan signal Sn-1, and thesecond initialization TFT T7 may be connected to a separate signal line(e.g., a post scan line) to operate according to a signal transferred tothe signal line.

An upper electrode CE2 of the storage capacitor Cst is connected to thedriving voltage line PL, and an opposite electrode of the organiclight-emitting diode OLED is connected to the common voltage ELVSS.Accordingly, the organic light-emitting diode OLED emits light byreceiving the driving current IDLED from the driving TFT T1 to displayimages.

In FIG. 6, the compensation TFT T3 and the first initialization TFT T4have dual-gate electrodes, but the compensation TFT T3 and the firstinitialization TFT T4 may each have one gate electrode.

FIG. 7 is a diagram of a pixel circuit in a pixel according to someexample embodiments. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along theline I-I′ and the line II-II′ of FIG. 7.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the driving TFT T1, the switching TFT T2,the compensation TFT T3, the first initialization TFT T4, the operationcontrol TFT T5, the emission control TFT T6, and the secondinitialization TFT T7 are arranged along a semiconductor layer 1130.

The semiconductor layer 1130 is arranged on a substrate, on which abuffer layer including an inorganic insulating material is arranged.According to some example embodiments, the semiconductor layer 1130 mayinclude low temperature polysilicon (LTPS). Because a polysiliconmaterial has high electron mobility (100 cm²/Vs or greater), thepolysilicon material may be used as a semiconductor layer of a TFT in adisplay apparatus owing to its low energy consumption and excellentreliability. However, one or more embodiments are not limited thereto,that is, according to some example embodiments, the semiconductor layer1130 may include amorphous silicon (a-Si) and/or oxide semiconductor.Alternatively, semiconductor layers in some of the plurality of TFTs mayinclude LTPS and semiconductor layers in some other TFTs may includea-Si and/or oxide semiconductor.

Some regions in the semiconductor layer 1130 correspond to semiconductorlayers of the driving TFT T1, the switching TFT T2, the compensation TFTT3, the first initialization TFT T4, the operation control TFT T5, theemission control TFT T6, and the second initialization TFT T7. In otherwords, the semiconductor layers of the driving TFT T1, the switching TFTT2, the compensation TFT T3, the first initialization TFT T4, theoperation control TFT T5, the emission control TFT T6, and the secondinitialization TFT T7 are connected to one another and curved in variousshapes.

The semiconductor layer 1130 includes a channel region, and a sourceregion and a drain region at opposite sides of the channel region, andthe source region and the drain region may be appreciated respectivelyas a source electrode and a drain electrode of a corresponding TFT.Hereinafter, the source region and the drain region will be referred toas a source electrode and a drain electrode, for convenience ofdescription.

The driving TFT T1 includes the driving gate electrode G1 overlapping adriving channel region, and the driving source electrode S1 and thedriving drain electrode D1 at opposite sides of the driving channelregion. The driving channel region overlapping the driving gateelectrode G1 has a bent shape, e.g., an omega shape, to establish a longchannel length within a narrow space. When the driving channel regionhas a long length, a driving range of a gate voltage increases, andthus, a gray level of light emitted from the organic light-emittingdiode OLED may be finely controlled and quality of displaying image maybe improved.

The switching TFT T2 includes the switching gate electrode G2overlapping a switching channel region, and the switching sourceelectrode S2 and the switching drain electrode D2 at opposite sides ofthe switching channel region. The switching drain electrode D2 may beconnected to the driving source electrode S1.

The compensation TFT T3 is a dual-TFT including compensation gateelectrodes S3 respectively overlapping two compensation channel regions,and a compensation source electrode S3 and the compensation drainelectrode D3 at opposite sides of two compensation channel region. Thecompensation TFT T3 may be connected to the driving gate electrode G1 ofthe driving TFT T1 via a node connecting line 1174 that will bedescribed later.

The first initialization TFT T4 is a dual-TFT including firstinitialization gate electrodes G4 respectively overlapping two firstinitialization channel regions, and the first initialization sourceelectrode S4 and the first initialization drain electrode D4 at oppositesides of two first initialization channel regions.

The operation control TFT T5 may include the operation control gateelectrode G5 overlapping an operation control channel region, and theoperation control source electrode S5 and the operation control drainelectrode D5 at opposite sides of the operation control gate electrodeG5. The operation control drain electrode D5 may be connected to thedriving source electrode S1.

The emission control TFT T6 may include the emission control gateelectrode G6 overlapping an emission control channel region, and theemission control source electrode S6 and the emission control drainelectrode D6 at opposite sides of the emission control gate electrodeG6. The emission control source electrode S6 may be connected to thedriving drain electrode D1.

The second initialization TFT T7 may include the second initializationgate electrode G7 overlapping a second initialization channel region,and the second initialization source electrode S7 and the secondinitialization drain electrode D7 at opposite sides of the secondinitialization gate electrode G7.

The above TFTs may be connected to the signal lines SL, SL-1, EL, andDL, the initialization voltage line VL, and the driving voltage line PL.

The scan line SL, the previous scan line SL-1, the emission control lineEL, and the driving gate electrode G1 may be arranged on thesemiconductor layer 1130 as insulating layer(s) provided therebetween.

The scan line SL may extend in the first direction DR1. Some regions inthe scan line SL may correspond to the switching and compensation gateelectrodes G2 and G3. For example, regions of the scan line SL, whichoverlap the channel regions of the switching and compensation TFTs T2and T3, may be respectively the switching and compensation gateelectrodes G2 and G3.

The previous scan line SL-1 extends along the first direction DR1, andsome regions of the previous scan line SL-1 may correspond to the firstand second initialization gate electrodes G4 and G7. For example,regions in the previous scan line SL-1 overlapping the channel regionsof the first and second initialization driving TFTs T4 and T7 may be thefirst and second initialization gate electrodes G4 and G7, respectively.

The emission control line EL extends along the first direction DR1. Someregions in the emission control line EL may correspond to the operationcontrol and emission control gate electrodes G5 and G6. For example,regions in the emission control line EL overlapping the channel regionsof the operation control and emission control TFTs T5 and T6 may be theoperation control and emission control gate electrodes G5 and G6,respectively.

The driving gate electrode G1 is a floating electrode that may beconnected to the compensation TFT T3 via the node connecting line 1174.

An electrode voltage line HL may be arranged on the scan line SL, theprevious scan line SL-1, the emission control line EL, and the drivinggate electrode G1 as insulating layer(s) provided therebetween.

The electrode voltage line HL may extend in the first direction DR1 tointersect with the data line DL and the driving voltage line PL. A partof the electrode voltage line HL covers at least a part of the drivinggate electrode G1, and may configure the storage capacitor Cst with thedriving gate electrode G1. For example, the driving gate electrode G1may become the lower electrode CE1 of the storage capacitor Cst, and apart of the electrode voltage line HL may become the upper electrode CE2of the storage capacitor Cst.

The upper electrode CE2 of the storage capacitor Cst is electricallyconnected to the driving voltage line PL. Regarding to this, theelectrode voltage line HL may be connected to the driving voltage linePL on the electrode voltage line HL via a contact hole CNT. Therefore,the electrode voltage line HL may have the same voltage level (constantvoltage) as the driving voltage line PL. For example, the electrodevoltage line HL may have a constant voltage of +5V. The electrodevoltage line HL may be appreciated as the driving voltage line in atransverse direction.

The driving voltage line PL extends along the second direction DR2, andthe electrode voltage line HL electrically connected to the drivingvoltage line PL extends along the first direction DR1 intersecting withthe second direction DR2. Thus, the plurality of driving voltage linesPL and electrode voltage lines HL in the display area may generate amesh structure.

The data line DL, the driving voltage line PL, an initializationconnecting line 1173, and the node connecting line 1174 may be arrangedon the electrode voltage line HL as insulating layer(s) providedtherebetween.

The data line DL extends in the second direction DR2, and may beconnected to the switching source electrode S2 of the switching TFT T2via a contact hole 1154. A part of the data line DL may be appreciatedas the switching source electrode.

The driving voltage line PL extends in the second direction DR2, and asdescribed above, is connected to the electrode voltage line HL via thecontact hole CNT. Also, the driving voltage line PL may be connected tothe operation control TFT T5 via a contact hole 1155. The drivingvoltage line PL may be connected to the operation control drainelectrode D5 via the contact hole 1155.

An end of the initialization connecting line 1173 is connected to thefirst and second initialization TFTs T4 and T7 via a contact hole 1152,and the other end of the initialization connecting line 1173 may beconnected to the initialization voltage line VL that will be describedlater via a contact hole 1151.

An end of the node connecting line 1174 may be connected to thecompensation drain electrode D3 via a contact hole 1156, and the otherend of the node connecting line 1174 may be connected to the drivinggate electrode G1 via a contact hole 1157.

The initialization voltage line VL may be arranged on the data line DL,the driving voltage line PL, the initialization connecting line 1173,and the node connecting line 1174 as insulating layer(s) providedtherebetween.

The initialization voltage line VL extends in the first direction DR1.The initialization voltage line VL may be connected to the first andsecond initialization TFTs T4 and T7 via the initialization connectingline 1173. The initialization voltage line VL may have a constantvoltage (e.g., −2V, etc.).

The initialization voltage line VL is arranged at the same layer as thatof a pixel electrode 210 of the organic light-emitting diode OLED (seeFIG. 8), and may include the same material as that of the pixelelectrode. The pixel electrode 210 may be connected to the emissioncontrol TFT T6. The pixel electrode 210 is connected to a connectionmetal 1175 via a contact hole 1163, and the connection metal 1175 may beconnected to the emission control drain electrode D6 via the contacthole 1153.

In FIG. 7, the initialization voltage line VL is arranged at the samelayer as that of the pixel electrode 210, but according to some exampleembodiments, the initialization voltage line VL may be arranged at thesame layer as the electrode voltage line HL.

Hereinafter, a stack structure of the components included in the displaypanel according to some example embodiments will be described withreference to FIG. 8.

The substrate 100 may include glass or a polymer resin. The polymerresin may include polyethersulfone, polyacrylate, polyetherimide,polyethylene n naphthalate, polyethylene terephthalate, polyphenylenesulfide, polyarylate, polyimide, polycarbonate, cellulose acetatepropionate, etc. The substrate 100 including the polymer resin may beflexible, rollable, or bendable. The substrate 100 may have amulti-layered structure including a layer including the polymer resinand an inorganic layer.

A buffer layer 111 is located on the substrate 100 to reduce or blockinfiltration of impurities, moisture, or external air from a lowerportion of the substrate 100, and to provide a flat surface on thesubstrate 100. The buffer layer 111 may include an inorganic materialsuch as an oxide material or a nitride material, an organic material, oran inorganic-organic composite material, and may have a single-layeredor multi-layered structure including the inorganic material and theorganic material. A barrier layer for preventing or reducing instancesof infiltration of external air may be further provided between thesubstrate 100 and the buffer layer 111.

The gate electrodes G1 and G6 are arranged respectively on thesemiconductor layers A1 and A6 with a first gate insulating layer 112arranged therebetween. The gate electrodes G1 and G6 may each includemolybdenum (Mo), aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), titanium (Ti), etc., andmay have a single-layered or multi-layered structure. As an example, thegate electrode G1 and G6 may each have a single layer including Mo. Thescan line SL (see FIG. 7), the previous scan line SL-1, and the emissioncontrol line EL may be provided at the same layer as those of the gateelectrodes G1 and G6. That is, the gate electrodes G1 and G6, the scanline SL (see FIG. 7), the previous scan line SL-1, and the emissioncontrol line EL may be arranged on the first gate insulating layer 112.

The first gate insulating layer 112 may include an insulating materialsuch as silicon oxide (SiO₂), silicon nitride (SiNx), silicon oxynitride(SiON), aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃), titanium oxide (TiO₂), tantalum oxide(Ta₂O₅), hafnium oxide (HfO₂), and zinc oxide (ZnO₂).

A second gate insulating layer 113 may be provided to cover the gateelectrodes G1 and G6. The second gate insulating layer 113 may includean insulating material such as silicon oxide (SiO₂), silicon nitride(SiNx), silicon oxynitride (SiON), aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃), titaniumoxide (TiO₂), tantalum oxide (Ta₂O₅), hafnium oxide (HfO₂), and zincoxide (ZnO₂).

The lower electrode CE1 of the storage capacitor Cst may be integrallyprovided with the gate electrode G1 of the driving TFT T1. For example,the gate electrode G1 of the driving TFT T1 may function as the lowerelectrode CE1 of the storage capacitor Cst.

The upper electrode CE2 of the storage capacitor Cst overlaps the lowerelectrode CE1 with the second gate insulating layer 113 therebetween. Inthis case, the second gate insulating layer 113 may function as adielectric layer of the storage capacitor Cst. The upper electrode CE2may include a conductive material including Mo, Al, Cu, Ti, etc., andmay have a single-layered or multi-layered structure. As an example, theupper electrode CE2 may have a single layer including Mo or amulti-layered structure including Mo/Al/Mo.

In the drawings, the storage capacitor Cst is shown to overlap thedriving TFT T1, but one or more embodiments of the disclosure are notlimited thereto. The storage capacitor Cst may be variously modified,for example, the storage capacitor Cst may be arranged so as not tooverlap the driving TFT T1.

The upper electrode CE2 may function as the electrode voltage line HL.For example, a part of the electrode voltage line HL may function as theupper electrode CE2 of the storage capacitor Cst.

An interlayer insulating layer 115 may be provided to cover the upperelectrode CE2. The interlayer insulating layer 115 may include aninsulating material such as silicon oxide (SiO₂), silicon nitride(SiNx), silicon oxynitride (SiON), aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃), titaniumoxide (TiO₂), tantalum oxide (Ta₂O₅), hafnium oxide (HfO₂), and zincoxide (ZnO₂). In FIG. 8, the interlayer insulating layer 115 has asingle-layered structure, but according to some example embodiments, theinterlayer insulating layer 115 may have a multi-layered structure.

The data line DL, the driving voltage line PL, and the connection metal1175 may be arranged on the interlayer insulating layer 115. The dataline DL, the driving voltage line PL, and the connection metal 1175 mayinclude a conductive material including Mo, Al, Cu, Ti, etc., and mayhave a single-layered or multi-layered structure including the abovematerials. For example, each of the data line DL, the driving voltageline PL, and the connection metal 1175 may have a multi-layeredstructure including Ti/Al/Ti.

The upper electrode CE2 of the storage capacitor Cst may be connected tothe driving voltage line PL via the contact hole CNT defined in theinterlayer insulating layer 115. This denotes that the electrode voltageline HL is connected to the driving voltage line PL via the contact holeCNT. Therefore, the electrode voltage line HL may have the same voltagelevel (constant voltage) as the driving voltage line PL.

The connection metal 1175 is connected to the semiconductor layer A6 ofthe emission control TFT T6 via the contact hole 1153 that penetratesthrough the interlayer insulating layer 115, the second gate insulatinglayer 113, and the first gate insulating layer 112. The emission controlTFT T6 may be electrically connected to the pixel electrode 210 of theorganic light-emitting diode OLED via the connection metal 1175.

A planarization layer 117 is located on the data line DL, the drivingvoltage line PL, and the connection metal 1175, and the organiclight-emitting diode OLED may be located on the planarization layer 117.

The planarization layer 117 may have a flat upper surface to make thepixel electrode 210 flat. The planarization layer 117 may include asingle-layered or multi-layered structure including an organic material.The planarization layer 117 may include a general universal polymer(benzocyclobutene (BCB), polyimide, hexamethyldisiloxane (HMDSO),polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), or polystyrene (PS)), polymer derivativeshaving phenol groups, acryl-based polymer, imide-based polymer, arylether-based polymer, amide-based polymer, fluoride-based polymer,p-xylene-based polymer, vinyl alcohol-based polymer, and blends thereof.The planarization layer 117 may include an inorganic material. Theplanarization layer 117 may include an insulating material such assilicon oxide (SiO₂), silicon nitride (SiNx), silicon oxynitride (SiON),aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃), titanium oxide (TiO₂), tantalum oxide (Ta₂O₅),hafnium oxide (HfO₂), and zinc oxide (ZnO₂). When the planarizationlayer 117 includes the inorganic material, a chemical planarizationpolishing may be performed if necessary. Alternatively, theplanarization layer 117 may include both an organic material and aninorganic material.

The pixel electrode 210 may be a (semi-) transmissive electrode or areflective electrode. In some embodiments, the pixel electrode 210 mayinclude a reflective layer including argentum (Ag), magnesium (Mg), Al,platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), aurum (Au), nickel (Ni), neodymium (Nd),iridium (Ir), chromium (Cr), and a compound thereof, and a transparentor semi-transparent electrode layer on the reflective layer. Thetransparent or semi-transparent electrode layer may include at least oneelectrode material selected from the group consisting of indium tinoxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), zinc oxide (ZnO), indium oxide(In₂O₃), indium gallium oxide, and aluminum zinc oxide (AZO). In someembodiments, the pixel electrode 210 may include a stack structureincluding ITO/Ag/ITO.

A pixel defining layer 119 may be located on the planarization layer117, and the pixel defining layer 119 includes an opening 1190P exposinga center portion of the pixel electrode 210 to define a light emittingregion of the pixel. Also, the pixel defining layer 119 increases adistance between an edge of the pixel electrode 210 and an oppositeelectrode 230 on the pixel electrode 210 to prevent generation of arc atthe edge of the pixel electrode 210. The pixel defining layer 119 mayinclude an organic insulating material such as polyimide, polyamide, anacrylic resin, BCB, HMDSO, and a phenol resin, and may be obtained by aspin coating, etc.

The intermediate layer 220 of the organic light-emitting diode OLED mayinclude an organic light-emitting layer. The organic light-emittinglayer may include an organic material including a fluorescent orphosphor material emitting red, green, blue, or white light. The organiclight-emitting layer may include a low-molecular organic material or apolymer organic material, and functional layers such as a hole transportlayer (HTL), a hole injection layer (HIL), an electron transport layer(ETL), and an electron injection layer (EIL) may be selectively arrangedunder and on the organic light-emitting layer. The intermediate layer220 may correspond to each of the plurality of pixel electrodes 210.However, one or more embodiments are not limited thereto. Theintermediate layer 220 may be variously modified, that is, may bearranged throughout the plurality of pixel electrodes 210.

The opposite electrode 230 may be a transmissive electrode or areflective electrode. In some embodiments, the opposite electrode 230may be a transparent or a semi-transparent electrode, and may beprovided as a metal thin film including Li, Ca, LiF/Ca, LiF/AI, Al, Ag,Mg, and a compound thereof having a small work function. Also, atransparent conductive oxide (TCO) such as ITO, IZO, ZnO, or In₂O₃ maybe further provided over the metal thin film.

When the pixel electrode 210 is a reflective electrode and the oppositeelectrode 230 is a transmissive electrode, light emitted from theintermediate layer 220 is emitted towards the opposite electrode 230 andthe display apparatus is a top emission type. When the pixel electrode210 is a transparent or a semi-transparent electrode and the oppositeelectrode 230 is a reflective electrode, the light emitted from theintermediate layer 220 is discharged towards the substrate 100 and thedisplay apparatus may be a bottom emission type. However, one or moreembodiments are not limited thereto. The display apparatus according tosome example embodiments may be a dual-emission type in which light isemitted to the top and bottom surfaces.

According to some example embodiments, the opposite electrode 230 isincluded in the auxiliary pixels located on the first display area.However, because the first display area includes the auxiliary pixelarea, in which the auxiliary pixels are located, and the firsttransmission area, the opposite electrode 230 may not be partiallyincluded in some region corresponding to the first transmission area. Ina top-emission type display apparatus, the light may be emitted towardsthe opposite electrode 230, but the light transmittance may degrade tosome degree due to the opposite electrode 230. Therefore, because theregion corresponding to the first transmission area does not include theopposite electrode 230, the light transmittance of the firsttransmission area may be improved.

To this end, the opposite electrode 230 on the first display area may bepatterned to correspond to each auxiliary pixel area. The oppositeelectrode 230 in the first display area DA1 may be formed by partiallyremoving a region corresponding to the first transmission area by alaser lift-off process or by a fine metal mask (FMM) patterning process.Hereinafter, it will be assumed that the opposite electrode 230 isformed on the first display area by the FMM patterning.

The opposite electrode 230 may be also included in the connecting pixelsin the second display area. However, because the second display areaincludes a connecting pixel area, in which the connecting pixels arelocated, a second transmission area, and a third transmission area, theopposite electrode 230 may not be included in some regions correspondingto the second transmission area and the third transmission area. In atop-emission type display apparatus, the light may be emitted towardsthe opposite electrode 230, but the light transmittance may degrade tosome degree due to the opposite electrode 230. Therefore, the oppositeelectrode 230 is not provided on the regions corresponding to the secondtransmission area and the third transmission area, and thus the lighttransmittance of the second and third transmission areas and may beimproved.

To this end, the opposite electrode 230 on the second display area maybe patterned to correspond to each connecting pixel area. The oppositeelectrode 230 in the second display area may be formed by partiallyremoving some regions corresponding to the second and third transmissionareas and by a laser lift-off process or by an FMM patterning process.Hereinafter, it will be assumed that the opposite electrode 230 isformed on the second display area by the FMM patterning.

The opposite electrode 230 is provided throughout the entire surface ofthe third display area, and some edges may be located on the non-displayarea NDA. The opposite electrode 230 may be provided integrally withrespect to the main pixels on the third display area, that is, aplurality of organic light-emitting diodes OLED, to correspond to theplurality of pixel electrodes 210.

FIGS. 9 and 10 are plan views showing a part of the first display areaDA1 according to some example embodiments.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, as described above, the first display areaDA1 includes the auxiliary pixel area PA1 and the first transmissionarea TA1, and the auxiliary pixels PXa are arranged in the auxiliarypixel area PA1. The auxiliary pixel area PA1 includes a first pixel areaPA1-1 and a second pixel area PA1-2 as shown in FIG. 9. A plurality offirst pixels PXa1 are in the first pixel area PA1-1 and a plurality ofsecond pixels PXa2 are in the second pixel area PA1-2.

According to some example embodiments, a first opposite electrode 230 ais on the first pixel area PA1-1 and a second opposite electrode 230 bis on the second pixel area PA1-2. The first opposite electrode 230 amay correspond to the first pixel area PA1-1 and the second oppositeelectrode 230 b may correspond to the second pixel area PA1-2. Also, thefirst opposite electrode 230 a and the second opposite electrode 230 bmay be partially in contact with each other. Here, the first oppositeelectrode 230 a and the second opposite electrode 230 b may have thesame shape as each other.

Referring to FIG. 10, the plurality of first pixels PXa1 are arranged onthe first pixel area PA1-1. Each of the plurality of first pixels PXa1includes a scan line for receiving a scan signal and a data line forreceiving a data signal. The scan line extends in the first directionDR1 and the data line may extend in the second direction DR2 thatcrosses, e.g., intersects with the first direction DR1. Here, othersignal lines PL, EL, SL-1, VL (see FIG. 7) may be also provided on thefirst pixel area PA1-1.

The data line and the scan line may be partially located on the firsttransmission area TA1. In this case, the scan line, for example, mayhave an arched portion that arch around an edge of the firsttransmission area TA1 in order to improve the light transmittance of thefirst transmission area TA1. The arched portion may be also applied toother signal lines PL, EL, SL-1, and VL (see FIG. 7) than the scan line.

The plurality of first pixels PXa1 on the first pixel area PA1-1 mayinclude the first opposite electrode 230 a that is integrally providedwith respect to one first pixel area PA1-1.

The plurality of second pixels PXa2 on the second pixel area PA1-2 mayinclude the second opposite electrode 230 b that is integrally providedwith respect to one second pixel area PA1-2.

The first pixel area PA1-1 and the second pixel area PA1-2 may bearranged on different lines from each other. In this case, the firstpixel area PA1-1 and the second pixel area PA1-2 may surround the firsttransmission area TA1. That is, the first pixel area PA1-1 and thesecond pixel area PA1-2 may be arranged in zigzags.

The first opposite electrode 230 a and the second opposite electrode 230b may respectively correspond to the first pixel area PA1-1 and thesecond pixel area PA1-2, and may partially in contact with each other.There is a first contact area CTA1 where the first opposite electrode230 a and the second opposite electrode 230 b are in contact with eachother between the adjacent first pixel area PA1-1 and the second pixelarea PA1-2, and the first and second opposite electrodes 230 a and 230 bmay be electrically connected to each other via the first contact areaCTA1.

In this case, because the first and second opposite electrodes 230 a and230 b are connected to each other via the first contact area CTA1,increase in resistance of the first and second opposite electrodes 230 aand 230 b on the first display area DA1 may be prevented.

FIGS. 11 and 12 are cross-sectional views illustrating some ofmanufacturing processes of a display panel according to some exampleembodiments. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B′of FIG. 9.

Referring to FIGS. 11 to 13, the insulating layer IL in which the pixelcircuit PC is located is formed on the substrate 100, and a first pixelelectrode 210 a and a second pixel electrode 210 b electricallyconnected to the pixel circuit PC are formed. The first pixel electrode210 a is on the first pixel area PA1-1 and the second pixel electrode210 b is on the second pixel area PA1-2.

A pixel defining layer 119 having openings that expose central portionsof the first and second pixel electrodes 210 a and 210 b is provided onthe first and second pixel electrodes 210 a and 210 b. A firstintermediate layer 220 a is provided on an exposed portion of the firstpixel electrode 210 a and a second intermediate layer 220 b is providedon an exposed portion of the second pixel electrode 210 b, wherein theexposed portions are exposed through the openings of the pixel defininglayer 119. It is understood that the first intermediate layer 220 a andthe second intermediate layer 220 b include the same material as that ofthe intermediate layer 220 described above with reference to FIG. 8.

After that, the first opposite electrode 230 a and the second oppositeelectrode 230 b may be provided on the first intermediate layer 220 aand the second intermediate layer 220 b. According to some exampleembodiments, the first opposite electrode 230 a and the second oppositeelectrode 230 b may be obtained through different processes. Here, afirst mask sheet 422A of a first mask assembly that will be describedlater may be used to form the first opposite electrode 230 a and thesecond opposite electrode 230 b. That is, after forming the firstopposite electrode 230 a, at least one of the first mask assembly or thesubstrate 100 is moved to a position that is different from an initialposition, and then the second opposite electrode 230 b may be formed onthe substrate 100. According to some example embodiments, at least oneof the first mask assembly or the substrate 100 is moved to a positionthat is different from an initial position after forming the secondopposite electrode 230 b, and then the first opposite electrode 230 amay be formed on the substrate 100. Hereinafter, a case in which thesecond opposite electrode 230 b is formed by moving the position of thesubstrate 100 after forming the first opposite electrode 230 a will bedescribed below in detail for convenience of description.

In detail, as shown in FIG. 11, the first opposite electrode 230 a isformed on the first intermediate layer 220 a. The first oppositeelectrode 230 a may be formed when a deposition material that has passedthrough a first opening 422A-1 of the first mask sheet 422A is depositedon the substrate 100. After that, as shown in FIG. 12, the substrate 100is moved to a left side in FIG. 11 to form the second opposite electrode230 b on the second intermediate layer 220 b. The second oppositeelectrode 230 b may be manufactured through the first opening 422A-1 ofthe first mask sheet 422A.

Referring to FIG. 13, the first opposite electrode 230 a and the secondopposite electrode 230 b obtained as above may be in surface contactwith each other in the first contact area CTA1. The surface contactbetween the first opposite electrode 230 a and the second oppositeelectrode 230 b may be understood that the second opposite electrode 230b is stacked on the first opposite electrode 230 a to contact each otherwithout any intervening layer therebetween.

In the first contact area CTA1, the second opposite electrode 230 b isarranged on the first opposite electrode 230 a. This denotes that thesecond opposite electrode 230 b is obtained in a post-process of theforming of the first opposite electrode 230 a. According to some exampleembodiments, when the second opposite electrode 230 b is formed afterthe first opposite electrode 230 a is formed, the first oppositeelectrode 230 a may be arranged on the second opposite electrode 230 bin the first contact area CTA1. The first contact area CTA1 may have athickness less than twice the thickness of a region in which the firstopposite electrode 230 a or the second opposite electrode 230 b is onlyarranged, because the first and second opposite electrodes 230 a and 230b are in surface contact with each other in the first contact area CTA1.Also, the first contact area CTA1 may not be arranged on light-emittingregions of the first pixel PXa1 and the second pixel PXa2. Here, thelight-emitting regions are formed in the pixel defining layer 119 andmay be respectively defined as first and second openings OP1 and OP2that expose the central portions of the first pixel electrode 210 a andthe second pixel electrode 210 b. That is, the first contact area CTA1may be provided without overlapping the first and second openings OP1and OP2 formed in the pixel defining layer 119.

As an area of the first contact area CTA1 increases, the resistances ofthe first and second opposite electrodes 230 a and 230 b may be furtherreduced. However, as described above, when the area of the first contactarea CTA1 is increased greater than a certain degree, the first contactarea CTA1 overlaps the light-emitting regions of the first and secondpixels PXa1 and PXa2, which degrade light-emitting performance of thefirst and second pixels PXa1 and PXa2.

Therefore, the area of the first contact area CTA1 may be provided so asnot to shield the first and second openings OP1 and OP2.

Referring to FIGS. 11 and 13, the first transmission area TA1 may notinclude a display element such as the organic light-emitting diode OLEDand the pixel circuit PC electrically connected to the display element,as compared with the first pixel area PA1-1. Moreover, the firsttransmission area TA1 may be defined as an area, in which some of thelayers on the substrate 100 are removed.

FIG. 14 is a plan view of arrangement of the opposite electrodes in adisplay panel according to some example embodiments. FIG. 15 is across-sectional view taken along the line C-C′ of FIG. 14. FIG. 16 is across-sectional view taken along the line D-D′ of FIG. 14.

Referring to FIGS. 14 to 16, the first display area DA1 may include thefirst pixel area PA1-1, the second pixel area PA1-2, and the firsttransmission area TA1, as described above. Here, the first oppositeelectrode 230 a may be on the first pixel area PA1-1 and the secondopposite electrode 230 b may be on the second pixel area PA1-2.

The second display area DA2 may include a third pixel area PA2-1, afourth pixel area PA2-2, the second transmission area TA2, and the thirdtransmission area TA3. The connecting pixel area PA2 may include thethird pixel area PA2-1 and the fourth pixel area PA2-2. Here, a thirdopposite electrode 230 c may be on the third pixel area PA2-1 and afourth opposite electrode 230 d may be on the fourth pixel area PA2-2.

In the above case, the third opposite electrode 230 c and the fourthopposite electrode 230 d may have different shapes from each other. Forexample, the third opposite electrode 230 c may have the same shape asthat of the first opposite electrode 230 a or the second oppositeelectrode 230 b, and the fourth opposite electrode 230 d may have adifferent shape from that of the third opposite electrode 230 c. Inparticular, the third opposite electrode 230 c may have a square shapeand the fourth opposite electrode 230 d may have a rectangular shape.Also, the fourth opposite electrode 230 d may be equal to or larger thanat least two third opposite electrodes 230 c connected to each other.

The third display area DA3 may include a main pixel area PA3 and a mainopposite electrode 230 e may be on the main pixel area PA3.

In the above case, the third and fourth opposite electrodes 230 c and230 d may be formed simultaneously with the forming of the main oppositeelectrode 230 e.

A plurality of third opposite electrodes 230 c and a plurality of fourthopposite electrodes 230 d may be provided. The plurality of thirdopposite electrodes 230 c may be spaced apart from one another. Also,the plurality of fourth opposite electrodes 230 d may be spaced apartfrom one another. In this case, the plurality of third oppositeelectrodes 230 c and the plurality of fourth opposite electrodes 230 dmay be respectively arranged in rows in an X-direction of FIG. 14. Also,each of the third opposite electrodes 230 c and each of the fourthopposite electrodes 230 d may be arranged in a Y-direction of FIG. 14 tobe connected to each other.

The third opposite electrode 230 c may be connected to the firstopposite electrode 230 a or the second opposite electrode 230 b. Here,the third opposite electrode 230 c may include a second contact areaCTA2 overlapping with the first opposite electrode 230 a or the secondopposite electrode 230 b. In this case, in the second contact area CTA2,the third opposite electrode 230 c may be in surface contact with thefirst opposite electrode 230 a or the second opposite electrode 230 b.Also, in the second contact area CTA2, the third opposite electrode 230c may be arranged on the first opposite electrode 230 a or the secondopposite electrode 230 b, or may be arranged under the first oppositeelectrode 230 a or the second opposite electrode 230 b.

Hereinafter, for convenience of description, a case in which the thirdopposite electrode 230 c is arranged on the second opposite electrode230 b in the second contact area CTA2 will be described below in detail.

In the above case, a thickness of the second contact area CTA2 may begreater than that of the second opposite electrode 230 b or that of thethird opposite electrode 230 c. For example, the thickness of the secondcontact area CTA2 may be about twice the thickness of the secondopposite electrode 230 b or twice the thickness of the third oppositeelectrode 230 c.

In the above case, the third opposite electrode 230 c and the fourthopposite electrode 230 d connected to each other may have a thirdcontact area CTA3, in which the first and fourth opposite electrodes 230c and 230 d overlap each other. In this case, a thickness of the thirdcontact area CTA3 may be the same as or similar to the thickness of thethird opposite electrode 230 c or the thickness of the fourth oppositeelectrode 230 d. That is, because the third opposite electrode 230 c andthe fourth opposite electrode 230 d are simultaneously formed in thethird contact area CTA3, one of the third opposite electrode 230 c andthe fourth opposite electrode 230 d may directly contact an uppersurface of the other of the third opposite electrode 230 c and thefourth opposite electrode 230 d. In this case, the third oppositeelectrode 230 c and the fourth opposite electrode 230 d may be insurface contact with each other. Hereinafter, for convenience ofdescription, a case in which the fourth opposite electrode 230 d is onthe third opposite electrode 230 c as shown in FIG. 15 will be describedbelow in detail.

The fourth opposite electrode 230 d may be connected to the mainopposite electrode 230 e. Here, the fourth opposite electrode 230 d maybe partially spaced apart from the main opposite electrode 230 e, andmay be partially in direct contact with the main opposite electrode 230e. Here, the fourth opposite electrode 230 d has a ‘T’-shape to beconnected to the main opposite electrode 230 e. That is, a part of thefourth opposite electrode 230 d may protrude towards the main oppositeelectrode 230 e, and another part of the fourth opposite electrode 230 dmay protrude in a direction perpendicular to the part of the fourthopposite electrode 230 d.

The second transmission area TA2 may be located among the first oppositeelectrode 230 a, the second opposite electrode 230 b, and the thirdopposite electrode 230 c. The second transmission area TA2 may have thesame shape and size as those of the first transmission area TA1.

The third transmission area TA3 may be arranged among one of the firstopposite electrode 230 a and the second opposite electrode 230 b, thethird opposite electrode 230 c, and the fourth opposite electrode 230 d.Here, the third transmission area TA3 may have a different shape as thatof the second transmission area TA2.

In each of the first pixel area PA1-1, the second pixel area PA1-2, thethird pixel area PA2-1, and the fourth pixel area PA2-2, one or morepixels may be arranged. For example, the first pixel PXa1 may bearranged in the first pixel area PA1-1 and the second pixel PXa2 may bearranged in the second pixel area PA1-2. Also, one or more third pixelPXc1 is arranged in the third pixel area PA2-1 and one or more fourthpixel PXc2 may be arranged in the fourth pixel area PA2-2. Also, themain pixel PXm may be arranged in the main pixel area PA3. The abovepixels are the same as or similar to the above description.

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of an apparatus for manufacturing thedisplay apparatus 1, according to some example embodiments. FIG. 18 is aperspective view of a first mask assembly 420A of FIG. 17. FIG. 19 is aplan view showing a portion of a first mask sheet 422A of FIG. 17. FIG.20 is a plan view showing a portion of a second mask sheet 422B of FIG.17.

Referring to FIGS. 17 to 20, a display panel of the display apparatus 1may be manufactured by using an apparatus 400 for manufacturing thedisplay apparatus.

The apparatus 400 for manufacturing the display apparatus may include achamber 410, the first mask assembly 420A, the second mask assembly420B, a first support 430, a second support 440, a deposition source450, a magnetic force generator 460, a vision portion 470, and apressure adjuster 480.

The chamber 410 may include a space therein and may have an openingpart. Here, a gate valve 411 may be provided at the opening part of thechamber 410 to open/close the opening part.

The first mask assembly 420A may be optionally in the chamber 410. Here,the first mask assembly 420A may include a first mask frame 421A and thefirst mask sheet 422A. The first mask frame 421A includes a plurality offrames connected to one another and may have an opening therein. Here,the first mask frame 421A may include one opening or a plurality offirst openings 422A-1 that are distinguished from one another. In thiscase, the first mask frame 421A may be formed as a grating such as awindow frame. The first mask sheet 422A may be fixed at the first maskframe 421A in a tensed state. Here, the first mask sheet 422A may have afirst opening through which a deposition material may pass.

The first mask sheet 422A may include the first openings 422A-1, throughwhich the deposition material passes to form the first oppositeelectrode or the second opposite electrode described above.

The first opening 422A-1 may have a shape corresponding to that of thefirst pixel area PA1-1 or the second pixel area PA1-2. For example, thefirst opening 422A-1 may have a rectangular shape, a square shape, or arhombus shape. In the above case, the deposition material that haspassed through the first opening 422A-1 is deposited on the substrate100 to form the first opposite electrode or the second oppositeelectrode. When there are plurality of first openings 422A-1, theplurality of first openings 422A-1 may be spaced apart sufficiently fromone another, and thus the deposition material that has passed througheach of the first openings 422A-1 may not be connected to the otherdeposition materials after being deposited on the substrate 100.

The first opening 422A-1 may be arranged to form the opposite electrodeon a region corresponding to the first display area DA1 of the substrate100. In particular, the first opening 422A-1 may be arranged only in afirst area AR1-1 of the first mask sheet 422A. In this case, a secondarea AR1-2 of the first mask sheet 422A may not include an additionalopening. The first area AR1-1 may correspond to the first display areaDA1 of the substrate 100 and the second area AR1-2 may correspond to thesecond display area DA2 and the third display area DA3 of the substrate100.

The second mask assembly 420B may be replaced with the first maskassembly 420A. That is, the second mask assembly 420B may be used toform the the third opposite electrode, the fourth opposite electrode,and the main opposite electrode on the second display area DA2 and thethird display area DA3, after forming the first opposite electrode andthe second opposite electrode on the first display area DA1 by using thefirst mask assembly 420A.

The second mask assembly 420B may include a second mask frame 421B andthe second mask sheet 422B. The second mask frame 421B is similar to orthe same as the first mask frame 421A, and detailed descriptions thereofare omitted here.

The second mask sheet 422B may include a second opening 422B-1, a thirdopening 422B-2, and a fourth opening 422B-3 for forming the thirdopposite electrode, the fourth opposite electrode, and the main oppositeelectrode.

The second opening 422B-1 may have a shape that is the same as that ofthe first opening 422A-1. The third opening 422B-2 may have a differentshape from that of the second opening 422B-1. For example, the thirdopening 422B-2 may be greater than the second opening 422B-1. In thiscase, the third opening 422B-2 may have a size corresponding to at leasttwo second openings 422B-1. The second opening 422B-1 may be separatedfrom the third opening 422B-2. Here, a first width W1 of the second masksheet 422B between the second opening 422B-1 and the third opening422B-2 is sufficiently small so that the deposition materials that havepassed respectively through the second opening 422B-1 and the thirdopening 422B-2 and deposited on the substrate 100 may be connected toeach other.

The fourth opening 422B-3 may be connected to the third opening 422B-2.A second width W2 of the second mask sheet 422B between the fourthopening 422B-3 and the third opening 422B-2 is greater than the firstwidth W1, and thus only a part of the fourth opposite electrode may beconnected to the main opposite electrode. In this case, due to theportions of the second mask sheet 4226, which is between the secondopening 422B-1 and the third opening 422B-2 and between the thirdopening 422B-2 and the fourth opening 422B-3, a strength of the secondmask sheet 422B may be ensured to a certain degree when the second masksheet 422B is tensed.

The second to fourth openings 422B-1 to 422B-3 may be in the third areaAR2-1 of the second mask sheet 422B, which corresponds to the secondarea AR1-2 of the first mask sheet 422A. However, an additional openingmay not be provided in a fourth area AR2-2 of the second mask sheet422B, which corresponds to the first area AR1-1 of the first mask sheet422A.

The substrate 100 may be mounted on a first support 430. Here, the firstsupport 430 may adjust a location of the substrate 100. For example, thefirst support 430 may include a UVW stage.

The first mask assembly 420A or the second mask assembly 420B may bemounted on a second support 440. Here, similarly to the first support430, the second support 440 may adjust a location of the first maskassembly 420A or the second mask assembly 420B.

The deposition source 450 may vaporize or sublimate a depositionmaterial to supply the deposition material to the chamber 410, afteraccommodating the deposition material. Here, the deposition source 450may include a heater therein, and heats the deposition material in thedeposition source 450 by using the heater to melt or sublimate thedeposition material. In the above case, the deposition source 450 may bearranged at a center or a corner of the chamber 410. Hereinafter, forconvenience of description, a case in which the deposition source 450 isat a corner of the chamber 410 will be described below in detail.

The magnetic force generator 460 is in the chamber 410 to allow thesubstrate 100 and the first mask assembly 420A or the substrate 100 andthe second mask assembly 420B to be in close contact with each other.Here, the magnetic force generator 460 may include an electromagnet or apermanent magnet that generates a magnetic force.

The vision portion 470 is in the chamber 410 to photograph locations ofthe first mask assembly 420A and the substrate 100 or locations of thesecond mask assembly 420B and the substrate 100. Here, the visionportion 470 may photograph an alignment mark, etc., of at least one ofthe first mask assembly 420A, the second mask assembly 420B, or thesubstrate 100.

The pressure adjuster 480 may be connected to the chamber 410 to adjusta pressure in the chamber 410. The pressure adjuster 480 may include aconnecting pipe 481 connected to the chamber 410 and a pump 482 providedon the connecting pipe 481.

The display apparatus 1 may be manufactured by the apparatus 400 formanufacturing the display apparatus. Here, the apparatus 400 formanufacturing the display apparatus may manufacture the displayapparatus 1 according to one or more embodiments that will be describedbelow, as well as the embodiments described above. Hereinafter, forconvenience of description, a case in which the apparatus 400 formanufacturing the display apparatus manufactures the pixel area of thedisplay panel shown in FIG. 14 will be described below in detail.Hereinafter, like reference numerals as those of FIG. 14 denote the sameelements.

In detail, the substrate 100 on which an insulating layer is formed andthe first mask assembly 420A may be arranged in the chamber 410. Here,the pixel electrode and the organic light-emitting layer of the thinfilm transistor and the organic light-emitting diode may have beenformed.

After mounting the substrate 100 and the first mask assembly 420Arespectively on the first support 430 and the second support 440, thesubstrate 100 and the first mask assembly 420A may be photographed bythe vision portion 470. After that, the substrate 100 and the first maskassembly 420A may be aligned.

When the deposition source 450 operates and supplies the depositionmaterial, the deposition material may pass through the first openings422A-1 of the first mask sheet 422A and may be deposited on the organiclight-emitting layer and the pixel defining layer of the substrate 100.Here, the deposition material that has passed through the first opening422A-1 may form the first opposite electrode 230 a or the secondopposite electrode 230 b as described above. Hereinafter, a case inwhich the deposition material forms the first opposite electrode 230 awill be described in detail for convenience of description.

When the deposition material is deposited as above, the first oppositeelectrodes 230 a may be arranged in a column. There may be a pluralityof columns that are spaced apart from one another.

When the above process is finished, a position of at least one of thesubstrate 100 or the first mask assembly 420A may be changed. Forexample, after fixing the position of the first mask assembly 420A, theposition of the substrate 100 may be changed. According to some exampleembodiments, after fixing the position of the substrate 100, theposition of the first mask assembly 420A may be changed. According tosome example embodiments, positions of both the substrate 100 and thefirst mask assembly 420A may be changed. Hereinafter, for convenience ofdescription, a case in which the position of the substrate 100 ischanged whereas the position of the first mask assembly 420A is fixedwill be described in detail.

When the position of the substrate 100 is changed, the first opening 422a may be arranged to correspond to a portion of the substrate 100, wherethe first opposite electrode 230 a is not formed. That is, the firstopening 422A-1 may be arranged between two adjacent first oppositeelectrodes 230 a.

After changing the position of the substrate 100, when the depositionsource 450 supplies the deposition material, the deposition material maypass through the first opening 422A-1 and may be deposited on thesubstrate 100. The deposition material that has passed through the firstopening 422A-1 may be deposited on the substrate 100 to form the secondopposite electrode 230 b. The second opposite electrode 230 b isarranged between the first opposite electrodes 230 a and may beconnected to the first opposite electrode 230 a via the first contactarea CTA1.

When the above process is finished, the operation of the depositionsource 450 is stopped or the deposition source 450 is blocked to supplythe deposition material, and then the internal pressure of the chamber410 may be maintained at an atmospheric pressure level via the pressureadjuster 480.

After opening the gate valve 411, the first mask assembly 420A iswithdrawn from the inside of the chamber 410 to outside, and the secondmask assembly 420B may be carried into the chamber 410 from the outsideof the chamber 410. When the second mask assembly 420B is mounted on thesecond support 440, the second mask assembly 420B and the substrate 100may be aligned. Also, the pressure adjuster 480 may maintain theinternal pressure of the chamber 410 at a similar level to the vacuumstate. The deposition source 450 supplies the deposition material ontothe substrate 100 to form the third opposite electrode 230 c, the fourthopposite electrode 230 d, and the main opposite electrode 230 e on thesubstrate 100.

In detail, when the third opposite electrode 230 c is formed on thesubstrate 100, the third opposite electrode 230 c may be connected toone of the first opposite electrode 230 a and the second oppositeelectrode 230 b. When the third opposite electrode 230 c is formed, thesecond contact area CTA2 may be provided between the third oppositeelectrode 230 c and one of the first opposite electrode 230 a and thesecond opposite electrode 230 b. In the second contact area CTA2, thethird opposite electrode 230 c may be arranged on an upper surface ofone of the first opposite electrode 230 a and the second oppositeelectrode 230 b. According to some example embodiments, the thirdopposite electrode 230 c, the fourth opposite electrode 230 d, and themain opposite electrode 230 e are formed on the substrate 100, and thenthe first opposite electrode 230 a and the second opposite electrode 230b are sequentially formed. In this case, one of the first oppositeelectrode 230 a and the second opposite electrode 230 b may be arrangedon the upper surface of the third opposite electrode 230 c.

When the third opposite electrode 230 c and the fourth oppositeelectrode 230 d are formed as described above, the first width W1 of thesecond mask sheet 422B between the second opening 422B-1 and the thirdopening 422B-2 is sufficiently small so that the the third oppositeelectrode 230 c and the fourth opposite electrode 230 d on the substrate100 may overlap each other to be connected to each other.

Therefore, the opposite electrodes arranged on the substrate 100 may beconnected to one another via the contact areas.

Also, the apparatus 400 for manufacturing the display apparatus mayprevent the pixels in each display area from not emitting light, byconnecting the opposite electrodes on the display area DA to oneanother.

FIG. 21 is a plan view of arrangement of the opposite electrodes in adisplay panel according to some example embodiments. FIG. 22 is a planview showing a portion of the second mask sheet 422B of FIG. 17,according to some example embodiments.

Referring to FIGS. 21 and 22, the display apparatus 1 may be similar tothat described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 14. Hereinafter, forconvenience of description, differences from the arrangement of oppositeelectrodes shown in FIG. 14 will be described in detail.

The first to fourth opposite electrodes 230 a, 230 b, 230 c, and 230 dmay be the same as those of FIG. 14. A plurality of main oppositeelectrodes 230 e may be spaced apart from one another. Here, theplurality of main opposite electrodes 230 e may be arranged in aY-direction of FIG. 21. In this case, each of the main oppositeelectrodes 230 e may not be connected to the other, and one of theplurality of main opposite electrodes 230 e may be connected to aplurality of fourth opposite electrodes 230 d. Here, each of the mainopposite electrodes 230 e may be connected to each of the wiringsarranged on a side surface of the substrate 100.

In order to form the main opposite electrodes 230 e, the second masksheet 422B may include fourth openings 422B-3 that are spaced apart fromone another. Here, a plurality of fourth openings 422B-3 may be arrangedin a direction to be spaced apart from one another. The second masksheet 422B is partially arranged between adjacent fourth openings 422B-3to distinguish adjacent fourth openings 422B-3 from one another.

In the above case, the deposition material that has passed through thefourth openings 422B-3 may form the main opposite electrodes 230 e onthe third display area DA3, and as described above, the depositionmaterial that has passed through different fourth openings 422B-3 may bedeposited on different regions of the substrate 100 to form differentmain opposite electrodes 230 e from one another.

FIG. 23 is a plan view of arrangement of opposite electrodes in adisplay panel according to some example embodiments. FIG. 24 is a planview showing a portion of the second mask sheet 422B of FIG. 17,according to some example embodiments.

Referring to FIGS. 23 and 24, the display apparatus 1 may be similar tothat described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 14. Hereinafter, forconvenience of description, differences from the arrangement of oppositeelectrodes shown in FIG. 14 will be described in detail.

The first to fourth opposite electrodes 230 a, 230 b, 230 c, and 230 dmay be the same as those of FIG. 14. A plurality of main oppositeelectrodes 230 e may be spaced apart from one another. Here, theplurality of main opposite electrodes 230 e may be arranged in a Y-axisdirection of FIG. 23. In particular, two main opposite electrodes 230 emay be arranged in an X-axis direction of FIG. 23. In this case, the twomain opposite electrodes 230 e may not be connected to each other, butseparated from each other. The main opposite electrodes 230 e may not beconnected to one another, and some of the plurality of main oppositeelectrodes 230 e may be connected respectively to the fourth oppositeelectrodes 230 d. Here, each of the main opposite electrodes 230 e maybe connected to each of the wirings arranged on a side surface of thesubstrate 100.

In order to form the main opposite electrodes 230 e, the second masksheet 422B may include fourth openings 422B-3 that are spaced apart fromone another. Here, a plurality of fourth openings 422B-3 may be arrangedin a direction and in another direction to be spaced apart from oneanother. The second mask sheet 422B is partially arranged betweenadjacent fourth openings 422B-3 to distinguish adjacent fourth openings422B-3 from one another. That is, among the plurality of fourth openings422B-3, two fourth openings 422B-3 are arranged in one column and aplurality of columns each having two fourth openings 422B-3 are arrangedin a plurality of rows.

In the above case, the deposition material that has passed through thefourth openings 422B-3 may form the main opposite electrodes 230 e onthe third display area DA3, and as described above, the depositionmaterial that has passed through different fourth openings 422B-3 may bedeposited on different regions of the substrate 100 to form differentmain opposite electrodes 230 e from one another.

According to one or more embodiments, the display panel having anexpanded display area may be implemented to display images even on anarea in which components are arranged and the display apparatusincluding the display panel may be implemented. However, the scope ofthe disclosure is not limited to the above effects.

It should be understood that embodiments described herein should beconsidered in a descriptive sense only and not for purposes oflimitation. Descriptions of features or aspects within each embodimentshould typically be considered as available for other similar featuresor aspects in other embodiments. While one or more embodiments have beendescribed with reference to the figures, it will be understood by thoseof ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and detailsmay be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope asdefined by the following claims, and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A display apparatus comprising: a substratecomprising a first display area including a first pixel area, a secondpixel area, and a first transmission area, a second display areaadjacent to the first display area, the second display area including athird pixel area, a fourth pixel area, a second transmission area, and athird transmission area, and a third display area adjacent to the seconddisplay area; a plurality of first pixels in the first pixel area, eachof the first pixels comprising a first pixel electrode, a first oppositeelectrode, and a first intermediate layer between the first pixelelectrode and the first opposite electrode; a plurality of second pixelsin the second pixel area, each of the second pixels comprising a secondpixel electrode, a second opposite electrode, and a second intermediatelayer between the second pixel electrode and the second oppositeelectrode; a plurality of third pixels in the third pixel area, each ofthe third pixels comprising a third pixel electrode, a third oppositeelectrode, and a third intermediate layer between the third pixelelectrode and the third opposite electrode; and a plurality of fourthpixels in the fourth pixel area, each of the fourth pixels comprising afourth pixel electrode, a fourth opposite electrode, and a fourthintermediate layer between the fourth pixel electrode and the fourthopposite electrode, wherein the third opposite electrode is connected tothe first opposite electrode or the second opposite electrode, the thirdopposite electrode and the fourth opposite electrode are connected toeach other, and the third opposite electrode and the fourth oppositeelectrode have different planar areas from each other.
 2. The displayapparatus of claim 1, wherein the first pixel area, the second pixelarea, and the first transmission area are alternately arranged to form agrating.
 3. The display apparatus of claim 1, wherein the firsttransmission area is defined as the first pixel area and the secondpixel area connected to each other.
 4. The display apparatus of claim 1,wherein the first opposite electrode and the second opposite electrodeare partially in surface contact with each other.
 5. The displayapparatus of claim 4, wherein the second opposite electrode is arrangedon the first opposite electrode in a surface contact area.
 6. Thedisplay apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first transmission area andthe third transmission area have different shapes from each other. 7.The display apparatus of claim 1, wherein a light transmittance of thefirst display area is different from a light transmittance of at leastone of the second display area or the third display area.
 8. The displayapparatus of claim 1, wherein the first display area provides an imagehaving a resolution less than a resolution of an image provided by atleast one of the second display area or the third display area.
 9. Thedisplay apparatus of claim 1, wherein main pixels are arranged in thethird display area, each of the main pixels comprising a main pixelelectrode, a main opposite electrode, and a main intermediate layerbetween the main pixel electrode and the main opposite electrode, andthe main opposite electrode is arranged on entire surface of the thirddisplay area.
 10. The display apparatus of claim 9, wherein the mainopposite electrode is connected to the fourth opposite electrode on thesecond display area.
 11. The display apparatus of claim 9, furthercomprising a plurality of main opposite electrodes having stripe shapes,wherein the plurality of main opposite electrodes are spaced apart fromone another.
 12. A display apparatus comprising: a substrate comprisinga first display area including a first pixel area, a second pixel area,and a first transmission area, a second display area adjacent to thefirst display area, the second display area including a third pixelarea, a fourth pixel area, a second transmission area, and a thirdtransmission area, and a third display area adjacent to the seconddisplay area; a plurality of first pixels in the first pixel area, eachof the first pixels comprising a first pixel electrode, a first oppositeelectrode, and a first intermediate layer between the first pixelelectrode and the first opposite electrode; a plurality of second pixelsin the second pixel area, each of the second pixels comprising a secondpixel electrode, a second opposite electrode, and a second intermediatelayer between the second pixel electrode and the second oppositeelectrode; a plurality of third pixels in the third pixel area, each ofthe third pixels comprising a third pixel electrode, a third oppositeelectrode, and a third intermediate layer between the third pixelelectrode and the third opposite electrode; a plurality of fourth pixelsin the fourth pixel area, each of the fourth pixels comprising a fourthpixel electrode, a fourth opposite electrode, and a fourth intermediatelayer between the fourth pixel electrode and the fourth oppositeelectrode; and a component on a surface of the substrate so as tocorrespond to the first display area, the component comprising anelectronic element configured to emit or receive light, wherein thethird opposite electrode is connected to the first opposite electrode orthe second opposite electrode, the third opposite electrode and thefourth opposite electrode are connected to each other, and the thirdopposite electrode and the fourth opposite electrode have differentplanar areas from each other.
 13. The display apparatus of claim 12,wherein the component is configured to emit or receive light through thefirst transmission area, and a light transmittance of the second displayarea and a light transmittance of the third display area are less than alight transmittance of the first display area.
 14. An apparatus formanufacturing a display apparatus, the apparatus comprising: a chambercomprising a part configured to be selectively opened and closed; afirst support in the chamber, the first support configured to support asubstrate; a mask assembly in the chamber, the mask assembly facing thesubstrate; a second support in the chamber, the second supportconfigured to support the mask assembly; and a deposition source in thechamber, the deposition source configured to supply a depositionmaterial onto the substrate, wherein the mask assembly comprises a firstmask assembly and a second mask assembly that are replaceable with eachother, the second mask assembly comprises: a mask frame; and a masksheet mounted on the mask frame, and the mask sheet comprises a firstopening, a second opening in a different portion from the first openingin the mask sheet, and a third opening in a different portion from thefirst and second openings in the mask sheet, wherein the second openingis connected to the third opening, the first opening is separated fromthe second opening and the third opening, the first opening and thesecond opening have different shapes from each other, and an area of thefirst opening is less than an area of the second opening.
 15. Theapparatus of claim 14, wherein the deposition source is in a corner ofthe chamber.
 16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the first openinghas a square shape and the second opening has a rectangular shape. 17.The apparatus of claim 14, wherein at least one of the first support orthe second support is configured to adjust a position of the substraterelative to the first mask assembly.
 18. The apparatus of claim 14,wherein a plurality of third openings are spaced from one another, andeach of the plurality of third openings has a line shape.
 19. A methodof manufacturing a display apparatus, the method comprising: arranging asubstrate and a first mask assembly in a chamber; forming a plurality offirst opposite electrodes respectively on a first display area and asecond display area of the substrate by using a deposition material froma deposition source through the first mask assembly; changing a positionof at least one of the substrate or the first mask assembly; forming aplurality of second opposite electrodes respectively on the firstdisplay area and the second display area by using the depositionmaterial from the deposition source through the first mask assembly, thefirst opposite electrode, and the second opposite electrode at leastpartially overlapping each other; and forming a third opposite electrodeand a fourth opposite electrode on the second display area afterreplacing the first mask assembly with a second mask assembly andsupplying a deposition material onto the substrate from the depositionsource, and forming a main opposite electrode on a third display area ofthe substrate, wherein the third opposite electrode connects one of thefirst opposite electrode and the second opposite electrode to the fourthopposite electrode, and the third opposite electrode and the fourthopposite electrode have different planar areas from each other.
 20. Themethod of claim 19, wherein a first transmission area is providedbetween the first opposite electrodes and the second oppositeelectrodes.
 21. The method of claim 19, wherein the first oppositeelectrodes and the second opposite electrodes are partially in surfacecontact with each other.
 22. The method of claim 19, wherein a secondtransmission area is provided between one of the first oppositeelectrodes and the second opposite electrodes, the third oppositeelectrode and the fourth opposite electrode, and a third transmissionarea is between one of the first opposite electrodes and the secondopposite electrodes, the third opposite electrode, the fourth oppositeelectrode, and a main opposite electrode.
 23. The method of claim 22,wherein the second transmission area and the third transmission areahave different shapes from each other.
 24. The method of claim 19,wherein the first display area is configured to display an image havinga resolution less than a resolution of an image displayed by at leastone of the second display area or the third display area.
 25. The methodof claim 19, wherein a light transmittance of the first display area isdifferent from a light transmittance of at least one of the seconddisplay area or the third display area.
 26. The method of claim 25,wherein the light transmittance of the second display area is greaterthan the light transmittance of the first display area and less than thelight transmittance of the third display area.